Mexico v South Africa: World Cup 2026 opening match – live

Mexico face South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with kick-off scheduled for 1pm local time (8pm BST / 3pm EDT). The match is being broadcast in the UK across ITV and BBC, with ITV's studio set up outdoors on the Hudson River featuring views of Manhattan. The live blog captures pre-match atmosphere and pundit commentary ahead of what is a historic tournament opener.